Recipes in four sentences

Sunday, December 11, 2016

A Homespun Year.....as the year draws to a close...what was achieved!

I commenced 2016, declaring it my year of all things homespun. The word 'homespun' conjures up the beautiful, the warm, the giving, the hugs and love, the learning, and the failing.

This year, I've learned a great deal. I've pushed myself to adopt at least one new skill, or money saving strategy each month. I've shared my successes, and even a few that weren't so successful, with you all. I hope I've encouraged you to, in Aussie lingo, to 'have a go'.

Because really that's what it's all about. Anyone can throw a bit of cash around and find a random pretty. It takes a certain kind of determination and persistence, to craft a skill that's good enough to gift, and even more, to admit that the skill is a work-in-progress, and gift it anyway.

I presented my rustic Gingerbread city in an oversized glass jar, white sugar at the bottom to hold my Gingerbread buildings upright, and embellished with a hand stamped and glittered vintage fabric ribbon tied to the top...

I made rainbow tulle bed tutus for my Granddaughters. That was a true labour of love, as I love and detest tulle in equal measure. All's well that ends well though, and they adore their pretty new bedroom décor...

I wish I had the energy to share how I made them, and maybe early next year I will. Suffice to say, if I never make another one, I'll be happy! In short though, if you're really curious, I used a fitted sheet, fitting it to a spare mattress to hold it firm, and pinned multiple layers of tulle that I'd pre-stitched for a rainbow effect to it, in the appropriate spot. I then wrestled the lot through my long suffering sewing machine. Not hard, but fiddly.

Cake baking and decorating was taken to another level, cupcakes frosted and decorated with little North Pole signs seen above, and my first attempt at a Christmas Bauble cake, seen below. Now THAT was a challenge! I'll be trying that one again next year, and perhaps not choosing red edible glitter with which to embellish it. My husband commented wryly that it looked like it had been injured...whoops! All the same, you try smoothing buttercream and fondant onto a sphere...it's jolly hard! So I'm proud as punch! Hahahaha!

A Frozen themed cake was attempted early in the year, for Granddaughter number one, and declared a success, despite it's slightly more 'green rather than blue' hue...

And likewise, the Topsy-Turvy cake, which started off simply looking Drunken, rather than Topsy-Turvy, ended up being the highlight of another special little someones birthday party...

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The term 'Jamberry Nails' found it's way into my vocabulary, saving me time and money in the process. These little decorative vinyl stickers are heat activated and bond to the nail, lasting up to three weeks! At $11 for a mani and pedi, and ready to go as soon as they're applied, I'm a fan!

I resurrected an old skill for making bouquets, gifting many a generous floral, feather or greenery pretty over the year. Why not at a third of the price of a florists bouquet? Here, I also discussed how to keep fresh flowers, fresher, for longer....

I trained my daughter, now nearly 17, to cut her own hair, and mine, using a Creaclip. Thousands saved, and no more tears because the hairdresser didn't listen when I said 'don't cut off too much, because curly hair bounces up!'.

Earlier in the year, I taught myself how to make Petit Fours and treated many friends to a lavish High Tea at low price. These dainty pink jelly cakes are simply bought sponge cake, cut into diamond shapes, dipped into chilled but not set jelly (jello), and rolled in dessicated coconut. Add a purchased sugar rose and who could imagine a prettier treat?

Our teas were held in our tropical garden, and included scones with home made jam and home made Clotted Cream, and nobody missed being in a high end hotel. Rather it was agreed all round that this was MUCH nicer....

At the behest of a favourite teacher, I learned how to make textile fibre collage, and managed to embellish several ghostly costumes for a spooky dance routine. This was far too complex a project to share as a tutorial. Rather I confined myself to showing you all some pretty pictures. Maybe next year, when I'm more adventurous. Or rather when I have more time! It's kind of fun!

Pretty romantic images were sourced to decorate gift bags and magnetised pegs for teen friends. At this link, I've provided the same images for you to use for your own project....

I found a way to make my own custom coloured edible sugar glitter, gifting it with cake baking supplies to many baking loving friends...imagine little jars filled with a harlequin rainbow of different coloured sugars. Super cute...

Book weights were made for book loving friends, and declared a hit....

And other friends with new babies, were lavished with hand crocheted sweet things, and home made Wool Wash in which to bathe them...

Crepe paper streamers were hand dyed and stamped to create simple roses and the tutorial for those is here....

Hand made Dreamcatchers became the Gift du Jour amongst the teen daughters friends, and with the teen daughter making these herself, they were a special keepsake...

And new ways to organise all the paraphernalia that affords us the materials with which we work to create all this loveliness, were sourced and put into action. My instructions for these lovely lace organisers is here.

This is just a portion of what I actually generated and gifted or donated this year. I do not photograph every single project, meal, costume, garment or cake I create, nor have I shared everything I've blogged here. However, these are my favourites, and the ones of which I am most proud.

My aim has always been, to simply show you that things do not have to be perfect to be loved...or lovely. And that simply by starting somewhere, anywhere, that you too, can find the skills to create your own store of beautiful gifts, and a special expertise that is welcomed by your friends and family for any occasion. I hope I've accomplished that much.

As an aside, my newly honed skills and projects, have saved my family, and my friends and loved ones, thousands and thousands of dollars this year. A cake can be anything from $100-$600, a large dreamcatcher sells at our local homewares store for $175, designer candles are $60-$120, Goats Milk soaps sell for $7-$17, a jar of Gingerbread? $45 please. Dance costumes...$100 each and I was a big part of creating over 200 this year. Haircuts, manicures, pedicures...well that's over $1000 saved right there. And so it goes. I'll be sharing a grand total next week, and I think like me, you will be amazed at how much it is!

At the start of 2016, I invited you to join me on my road to a Homespun Year. Did you take up the challenge? What new skills did you adopt? Are they still a work in progress? Or are you perhaps good enough to make some extra pocket money from them?

I'd love to hear from you. Please share your stories.

Happy end of 2016, and all that comes with the celebrating of another year gone by....

23 comments:

Ooh, Mimi, I must have missed the edible glitter post during the year - and guess what my 12yo baker child asked me for this afternoon? Yes, edible glitter! Thanks so much:) What an amazingly productive year you have had. Glorious and beautiful!!

Dear Fiona, I use your ballerina teatowel almost daily. How funny to see you with it in your title...lol! I still have a pretty here for you that needs sending. Can you email me at atrayofbliss@yahoo.com with your address again? Love, Mimi xxx

Gorgeous work Mimi. The dreamcatchers are something that I am going to have a go at next year. I want to crochet a mandala to go in the ring. My next challenge is to learn to present the gifts as something very special. Merry Christmas.

Jane, I have come to realise that there are two key issues in gifting hand/home made. Firstly, make sure it's appropriate. Don't gift jam to someone who doesn't eat it, or liqueur to a non-drinker. Some people do not like candles or embroidered pretty things, they'd rather have home made cleaning products, or conversely a designer scarf. Tailor the gift. Very important. I made many a mistake before I twigged to that one, and I daresay much of my carefully home made paraphernalia, maybe did not hit the mark. I'm better at that these days though, and careful about what I gift to whom. I even lash out on gifts for those who are just impossible to tailor a home made gift for, and don't feel bad, due to the myriad savings I make elsewhere. And secondly, yes, the packaging. This can be a make or break. Some people love the Rustic look, and others really need to have lavish packaging to feel special. Again, it's about tailoring not just to the recipient, but really looking hard at how the expensive gift lines are packaged in the high end stores, and mimicking that look. Things like a personalised ribbon, or even just a look that is your own signature style can work well too. All the best for 2017, and Merry Christmas to you and your family. Lots of love, Mimi xxx

Oh Mimi, I am so inspired by the highlights of your past year. Every one is just beautiful! Isn't it fun that we live in the age of digital cameras and can record our projects so easily? Your gingerbead house cookies are so cute, and I am heading to their link to learn how you made them.

Thank you for sharing all your creative efforts - please move in next door to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!I hope you & the family have a wonderful holiday season and am sending good thoughts from the USA!Best wished, "the other" Mimihttp://inmyprimetime.blogspot.com

Thankyou my friend, the 'other' Mimi. I've enjoyed each and every project and I'm so glad to have made new friends, like yourself, in the process. All the best of the Festive Season to you. Love, Mimi xxx

Hello Mimi, wow I love all of the handmade items you have made. I love that you and your daughter can cut your own hair too! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season. Thanks for sharing at C&C with J&J! :)Julie

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